Fire and Emergency at the Lee Valley fire on 8 February. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
A forest fire that broke out in Tasman's Lee Valley last week, burning through nine hectares of pine plantation, has been contained and controlled.
Fire and Emergency NZ incident controller Steve Trigg said firefighters were still on site, but crews would be gradually scaled back over the next few days.
"We are now in mop-up mode and will slowly be reducing our presence on the fire ground."
The fire broke out mid-afternoon last Wednesday, sparked by a grass fire on the roadside.
Firefighters had cut a 1.2 kilometre containment line around the perimeter of the fire by Friday evening, before moving into the fireground to extinguish hotspots.
At its peak, about 70 firefighters and seven helicopters were working to prevent the fire from spreading.
Trigg said firefighters were supported by a specialised drone crew from the Urban Search and Rescue unit, who were able to identify and extinguish hotspots quickly and accurately.
"They have assisted crews working in very difficult and dangerous terrain, meaning progress has been faster than expected."
The investigation into the cause of the fire was ongoing, though it was thought to have been sparked by a vehicle on the roadside.
FENZ was expected to hand the site back to the landowners, Tasman Pine Forests, later this week.
